The intensions of self-fulfillment only contributes to one's own selfish pursuit of happiness. In the 1920s of America, people believed that only through sheer effort, will they achieve happiness. The life of an individual, then resides on the concept of this "American Dream". For this reason, society becomes the yearning of prosperity, but to only find it as wasted effort. In the novel "The Great Gatsby", the author develops the American Dream through a character named Gatsby, who has an extreme passion for hope. Furthermore, some of the factors of this unattainable dream displays questionable intents in this character. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, flourishes the idea of motivation of self-interest, greed, and pleasures, which thus denies the truth of happiness.
A burning desire to obtain what was once in their possession is not true happiness but their own selfish desires. Fitzgerald unfolds the true nature of man through this novel and character, Jay Gatsby.
Gatsby is first introduced as a mysterious figure who appears to be captivating and surrounded by luxury. He was a man full of dreams, hoping to take his past lover back, Daisy. However, he "wanted no less of Daisy " (p.g 117) than to say that Daisy "never loved" (p.g 117) Tom. It is clear to see that Gatsby only wishes to please his pride and not a genuine affection towards
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As the novel progresses, Gatsby from the beginning gave impressions of captivation, but turns into a lovesick man. Fitzgerald uses this technique to signify how Gatsby has created a self-image, even changing his name from "James Gatz...at the age of seventeen" (p.g 104) to Jay Gatsby. Moreover, he grasps on the idea of how he pursues success through transforming his hopes and dreams into reality. In contrast, his existence has changed from top to bottom, not realizing that it is not what he had